Heritage Bank opens first branch in Sydney

31 October 2019

The interstate branch expansion of Queensland-based Heritage Bank is underway, with its new branch in the Sydney suburb of Castle Hill opening today (Thursday, 31 October).

The branch, which features a unique design, is located in the Castle Towers Shopping Centre. It is Heritage’s first-ever branch outside Queensland, with a second Sydney branch set to open at Westfield Parramatta in mid-December.

Heritage Bank is Australia’s largest customer-owned bank, established in 1875 and with a 58-strong branch network in Queensland.

CEO Peter Lock said he was excited that Heritage was bucking the industry trend by opening branches in new markets, while major banks continued to close down many of their branches.

Heritage plans to open up to 10 new branches in Sydney in coming years, as well as expanding into Melbourne in the near future with up to 10 branches there as well.

“Physical branches remain an integral part of the banking proposition,” Mr Lock said.

“People like the reassurance of being able to visit a branch and sit down face-to-face with an actual person to talk about their financial decisions.

“Unlike other banks we’re opening branches rather than closing them, because we know how much people value being able that personal contact.

“I believe that the Heritage brand and the value that we provide will resonate with the people of Sydney, especially in the Hills District and the Greater Western Sydney corridor.

“Greater Western Sydney is the major growth corridor in Sydney and has one of the most vibrant and diverse economies in the country. It’s growing by around 30,000 people a year. 

“The Badgery’s Creek airport will spur further growth, generating plenty of demand for housing loans and great investment products. 

“We’re different to the big banks, because we focus on the best interests of our customers rather than making massive profits. 

“If you are looking for loans or deposit products that give great value, as well as the kind of service that’s seen us ranked the best bank in Australia for customer service, then come in and check out what we have to offer.”

Heritage’s Castle Hill branch design includes a number of features that are unique.

The new experience-based retail space was designed by global design practice Gensler. Their local Sydney studio is a creative collective of designers, strategists, architects, and innovators.

Inside the branch is a “Community Wall” which allows community organisations to promote local events on a customised interactive map.

There is also a Life Events wall an interactive touch screen that helps people identify the banking products and services best suited to those big financial decisions we need to make in our lives.

The Life Events identifies seven major life events, like buying a first car, refurbishing for a growing a family, or retiring. Customers can then look up the products Heritage offers for people at their particular stage of life.

“Our branch has a totally different design to anything that other banks have to offer, so it’s well worth a look just for that alone,” Mr Lock said.

Heritage Bank will celebrate its Castle Hill launch with a number of special offers for new customers.

These include the opportunity for people to get their hands on a limited-edition HOVA – a wearable payment band that was the first in Australia to link directly to the user’s transaction account.

The HOVA is like having a credit card in your wrist, allowing you to pay for purchases from your transaction account simply by swiping your wrist over a payment terminal.

The new Heritage Bank Castle Hills Branch is located at Shop 263A in the Castle Towers Shopping Centre.